Renny Slagboom

As family and friends can surely attest, Renny Slagboom truly understood the secret to living each day to the very fullest. She was a constant source of strength, even in the most difficult of times. Nothing brought Renny more joy than surrounding herself with her loved ones. She was always willing to go above and beyond to serve others, and she poured her heart and soul into all that she did. Deeply loved, Renny will be forever held close in the hearts and minds of those who knew her best.

The 1930s are remembered as a tumultuous time for many. The ripples of the Great Depression could be felt all around the world, and families everywhere had to pull together to make ends meet and find a way to thrive in their time of need. During these dark years, however, there was a ray of light for Tjerk Zweers and Sophia Dykstra of Bandung, Indonesia, as they eagerly awaited the arrival of their first baby. On July 12, 1936, they welcomed their daughter, who they named Renny, into the world.

Throughout her childhood, Renny was a typical girl of her generation in many ways. She was raised in the family home in Indonesia. Renny’s early years were ruled by the darkness of WWII. Her father, Tjerk, was originally from the Netherlands, and he served in the Dutch Navy during the war, where he was killed. Renny’s mother, Sophia, worked tirelessly to provide for her family and raise her children. Renny grew up alongside her siblings, Henk and Nel, as well as her half-siblings, Adik and Fein. The siblings grew to be quite close and would travel to visit each other later in life. Following the end of WWII, Renny made the difficult decision to leave her home of Indonesia and travel to the Netherlands to begin a new life.

Exciting changes were on the horizon for Renny as she settled down in the Netherlands and met the man who would soon become the love of her life. His name was Gerard Slagboom Jr., and the two first met at a dance party hosted by Gerard’s family in their garage in Amsterdam. At the time, Gerard was working for the family business, shoveling coal that was used for heating homes in Amsterdam. There was an instant spark between Renny and Gerard. It wasn’t long before they realized they were made for each other. With a desire to spend the rest of their lives together, Renny and Gerard were married in Amsterdam.

All who knew Renny can certainly agree that, of all the things she loved in life, she cherished her family above all else. She and Gerard were overjoyed to welcome their three beloved sons, Doug, Rick, and Ted, into their hearts and home. Renny thrived in her role as a mother, and while she could be firm when she needed to be, she was very laid-back and compassionate with her children. She and Gerard worked hard to balance their family while running their hair salon to provide for themselves and the children. Over the years, they opened their arms to three foreign exchange students, two from Brazil and one from Mexico. Later in life, Renny was thrilled to become a grandmother to Kyle, Chase, Reid, and Sloan. She adored her grandchildren and doted on them at every opportunity. Renny considered herself blessed to watch her family grow to include so many loved ones.

In addition to operating the hair salon, Renny took great pride in caring for her family and her home. She threw herself into learning how to cook so that she could provide gourmet meals for her friends and family members. Renny discovered a great passion for gardening and landscaping. She loved to spend time in her garden, where she grew a variety of plants and flowers. Renny’s backyard was more of a botanical garden, and her flowers were her most prized possessions.

Never one to sit still for long, Renny pursued many hobbies to stay busy in her free time. She enjoyed reading cookbooks and trying new recipes in the kitchen, and she cooked from all different cuisines. Renny enjoyed listening to country music and Elvis. Her favorite food was Indonesian stir fry, but she was always open to trying new foods. Renny was a member of the Red Hat Lady Society along with several of her friends. The group would often go out and visit places together. Renny sometimes traveled to Arizona and California to visit her siblings, and she traveled to Amsterdam to visit family there as well. She even went to Mexico to visit an exchange student the family had previously hosted. Over the years, Renny cared for several pets that kept her company.

When reflecting on the life of Renny Slagboom, it is easy to see her unwavering strength and her unconditional love for her family. She was a shining example of selflessness and kindness, and she was known for her great sense of humor and her love for laughter. A dedicated wife, mother, and grandmother, Renny was a friend to many and beloved by all. Her primary focus in life was fostering deep and personal relationships with those around her. Though she will be dearly missed, Renny leaves behind a priceless legacy that her loved ones will be proud to carry on in her footsteps.

Renny Slagboom of Grand Haven, Michigan, age 88, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 17, 2024. She is now reunited with her husband Gerard Slagboom Jr. who died in 1996. Renny was born in the summer of 1936 to the late Tjerk and Sophia [Zweers] in Bandung, Indonesia. She is survived by her three sons, Douglas (Siri), Rick (Dawn) and Ted (Emily); her grandchildren Kyle (Emma) Vanderschaaf and Chase, Reid and Sloane Slagboom as well as by her brother Henk Dijkstra and sister Fein Zweers. Renny and her husband owned and operated Gerard’s Hair Salon in Grand Rapids for many years. For those who wish, you may honor Renny by making a donation to the Humane Society of West Michigan, (3077 Wilson Dr NW, Walker, MI 49534).

An event to remember and celebrate Renny’s life will be held on Sunday, September 22, 2024 at 2 PM at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home – Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel, (2120 Lake Michigan Drive NW).

To read more about Renny’s life, to share a memory or photo, or to sign her guestbook, visit www.heritagelifestory.com.